Tramming Spindle Square

[split63]

Has anyone used this spindle square?
What do you think?

tramming spindle square

This seems like a good idea. When you make an adjustment, you know right away if your on the money or not and can quickly reach perfect. With the other single dial indicator methods, you need to rotate the spindle and take another measurement.....make an adjustment, rotate the spindle, take a measurement, make an adjustment.....etc.

Thanks,

[NC Cams]

Should work fine - providing you check to make sure it IS SQUARE and STAYS SQUARE before/while you use it.

I"d prefer a wider spread between the dials for a finer squareness resolution.

[miljnor]

since you are spining it around a circle I don't think it would mater if it is square. Unless of course the POS is flexing then it would be bad.

I think it would be more critical if the bearings or alignment in the spindle bore is true or the runout (which is the biggest factor) is too large.

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by miljnor since you are spining it around a circle I don't think it would mater if it is square. Unless of course the POS is flexing then it would be bad. I think it would be more critical if the bearings or alignment in the spindle bore is true or the runout (which is the biggest factor) is too large.

I wouldn't trust it within .005 on a 1/2" shank. So what if the indicators read the same. If you still need to turn the spindle to verify the assembly is gripped true to its calibrated plane, then why bother. I doubt it will gain you much precision considering its span either.

It's got bling! Looks twice as precise with 2 dials though don't it?

DC

[Geof]

All a bit academic seeing as how this is copied right from the ad.

"Super Blow Out Sale! Expires 02/29/04"

[miljnor]

But the only way that the plane can be out is too have the spindle itself missaligned, i think.

if the shaft was bent on the tool or the too dials read differently, it wouldn't matter as long as the readings didn't fluctuate as it spins on its axis.

The only problem I could see with the tool is if it flexed as it spins. And even a 1/2" shaft isn't going to flex under the pressure of a dial indicater.

And as far as how far apart the indicators are thats just a math problem. you can arrive at whatever runout you want if you do the math. I would personally replace the dials with .0001" reading ones. But another thing to consider on the distance is that alot of home mills don't have tables that big (I think the one on my mill is 6"x25" aprox).

All a bit academic seeing as how this is copied right from the ad. "Super Blow Out Sale! Expires 02/29/04"

While this is true for the lower price you can still buy them at regular price. But personaly I don't think it would take much to make one with your own dial indicators. Then you could make it as wide as your comfortable with.

[phil burman]

Sorry split63 but I think you would have to be crazy to buy one of these. How many mills do you have how often do you tram them and what does USD 140 (on sale) mean to you.

As somebody else pointed out you would have to check the instument was square first and how would you do that. You can't use the mill because you not sure if it's square in the first place. Also how do you now that you have mounted it with its shaft parallel to the spindle axis. No mention in the add about precision. Whats wrong with rotating a single instrument, zero scope for error.

You guys must be short of something to spend your money on.

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by split63 Has anyone used this spindle square? What do you think? tramming spindle square This seems like a good idea. When you make an adjustment, you know right away if your on the money or not and can quickly reach perfect. With the other single dial indicator methods, you need to rotate the spindle and take another measurement.....make an adjustment, rotate the spindle, take a measurement, make an adjustment.....etc. Thanks,

[Mcgyver]

gotta agree with Phil, based on 140$ and the duty cycle that puppy would have, a Starrett mic'd be a bargain at 50k

[Geof]

If you want inexpensive it is difficult to beat a length of 1/2" round bar, turn a point on one end, file and polish to a tiny ball tip, bend to a Z so when it is held in a collet the ball tip is perpendicualr and sweeps out a 10" or 12" diameter circle then get the trusty feeler gauges between the tip and the table. ALign the spindle to within .001" over the sweep of the tip.

[Steve@Reliance]

Once you have learned how to set up a head with an indicator, it can be done in about a minute. I use a mini mag base and a test indicator so the dial faces up. sometimes on complicated one off parts, I have had to set the head 1/2 doz. times a day. You just get used to it. Looks like a tool a rookie that dosen't feel like learning would be interested in.

[phil burman]

Not enough Bling. Do the feeler gauges come with a digital read out.

Phil

Originally Posted by Geof If you want inexpensive it is difficult to beat a length of 1/2" round bar, turn a point on one end, file and polish to a tiny ball tip, bend to a Z so when it is held in a collet the ball tip is perpendicualr and sweeps out a 10" or 12" diameter circle then get the trusty feeler gauges between the tip and the table. ALign the spindle to within .001" over the sweep of the tip.

[miljnor]

mine do, but I think the batteries are low because it never changes! one of them reads .001 constantly! Maybe thats why they were so cheap! they are broken!

hehehe